Legend of Spyro: Gifted Curse ----------------- CHAPTER 30 ----------------- "Everything okay in there?" Cynder tried to ignore the voice at the door, but Ember was insistent, prying the lock open with her magic.  Inside, she found Cynder curled up with her eggs, tears running down her face.  She buried her head under her wing. "Cynder...?" "Go away..." "What's going on?" "I don't know!!" she screamed, and for a second Ember thought she saw that dark, chiseled face of the Terror again.  Whining, the black dragoness hid in her wing again and shivered, tightly curling around her eggs. Ember edged out of the room and then ran to find the Matrons.  Not too long after, two of the triplets snuck into the room, Cynder glaring out from under her wing when she finally sensed them. "What do you want..." "Cynder, dear...we want to know what's going on.  Did anything happen?" "Spyro left me!" "He what?" "He's gone and my eggs are dying and- and-" "Oh dear." The mage sister waved her wings and before Cynder could react she was out like a light. A soft warmth surrounded her. Cynder awoke with her eggs, but they were swaddled in a sweet-scented warm cloth, while she herself was swaddled in a very oversized fur blanket, surrounded by herbal incense candles.  It was a very relaxing aroma, one that made her feel heavy and hazy.  "What's...going on...?" "Easy, dear."  One of the old ladies was nearby, slowly stirring a steaming bowl of fragrant oils.  "Just relax.  Close your eyes again if you need to." "Why am I here?" "If you don't remember, then you need more rest.  Sleep." It was hard to resist. She woke up again feeling like she had only napped a few seconds, yet her body was leaden and zenned out.  Spyro was there with the old ladies, their eggs nestled by his belly.  She got up shakily, the Matrons moving over to help unravel her from the blanket.  "Are you well?" She nodded, feeling horribly guilty.  It was all coming back.  "I...I don't know...where any of that came from...I'm so sorry..." she whined. "We'll need to get you onto some hormonal supplements it seems.  All the excitement of the week has weakened your barriers to your traumas.  It happens." She looked up at her mate, seeing the worry in his eyes, and it made her chest clench.  "Spyro I'm so sorry..." "Why did you think the eggs were dying?" he asked. When she shook her head and her wings cinched to her sides, the old ladies moved to the doorway where they had that crystal lensing machine ready.  "Cynder, come.  Spyro, bring the eggs please." They did so, watching as one by one, their brood was placed under the crystal lens.  Through it, they saw shifting colors, and tiny pulses, and a few motions of foggy silhouettes. "My babies..." she whispered. "They're all perfectly healthy still.  Now, if you would lie on your back please." The crystal lens was focused over her gravid middle, the black dragoness cringing in fear.  From this angle she couldn't see what they were seeing.  "One..."  Some more fidgeting with the machine, Spyro watching keenly.  "There's two...and three... Spyro, I'm afraid this machine is yet too insensitive to see the fourth further in her.  Do you mind, Cynder, if he helps us...get a better angle?" With a small sigh, she spread her hind legs, and Spyro started to lick and nuzzle her pussy to get them both aroused, the black dragoness unable to fight a soft moan of the undeniable pleasure.  He eased his shaft into her and lifted her up with his paws to angle his cock better, Cynder moaning softly as he wiggled her on his shaft until he felt the fourth egg move aside.   "And there's the fourth, with a good strong pulse...healthy aether breath..." Cynder buried her face against her mate and shivered, Spyro hugging her while she sat on his cock.  "I'm so sorry..." she whispered, his paws rubbing her back. "Shhhh...I'm here, Cynder.  The eggs are fine.  Everything is fine." "I know but..." "What happened?" he urged. "I..." "Do you need me out of you first?"  She reluctantly nodded and he carefully slid his penis free from her tight snatch.  Gathering her eggs to the nest and curling up with them, she breathed deeply a few times to gather herself. "I don't know how it started...but when Spyro left this morning I just...I had this...this horrible gut feeling that he was...dumping me...and the eggs not hatching, it just...everything hurt and it...it kept spiraling, and hurting more, and I couldn't tell what was real..." "Another panic attack..." he sighed. "Yes...the excitement of the week has worn her out and left her open to her doubts, but the pregnancy hormones amplified it." "I don't wanna ruin our marriage!" she whined.  "This is supposed to be a happy time!" "Shhhh, don't do that.  Not right now.  I won't deny that there should be excitement, but you do need to take care of yourself...especially now that we know you're having a hormone surge.  Don't stress about your wedding, or your panic attacks.  Just steps to overcome.  Relax.  Your eggs are fine, and growing nicely.  You have no duds this time either."  Flopping on her nest, she sighed heavily and blinked back a tear.  "I don't want this...I'm so tired of it..." "Do you need anything right now?" "...I really don't know..." With a small huff, the two sisters turned to Spyro.  "Remain here with her for now, and if you need us, let us know.  We'll be just up the hall.  She needs some space." Nodding, he sighed.  "Thanks." "We'll be preparing some supplements for her." Spyro milled around their second home, rearranging a few things, getting foodstuffs sorted in their storage, and a few things to nibble in the oven.  Finally, Cynder went to stretch, and their eyes met, and he moved over to her and nuzzled at her neck. "Hi." "Hey..." she muttered.   "Up for a snack?" With a soft huff of thought, she nuzzled at him some more.  "I feel sick..." "Need me to do anything?" "Can you just...put your penis in me for a while?  Please?" Easing into the nest with her, the purple dragon covered his mate, his wings mantling around her and rubbing her swollen belly.  Nibbling along her neck, grooming her softly, he purred to her while she felt his balls rest atop her tail, his thick sheath on her hips, and that wonderful length slowly growing and throbbing along her thigh, draping with its weight over her haunch until it solidified enough to slide up along her back.  He shivered over her at the sensation of her silky scales against his member.  Gently grabbing her belly just under that swell of life, he lifted her up a little and ducked his hips, the two of them moaning in bliss, her tight tunnel eagerly accepting him into her body despite her mood.  Once his sheath kissed her labial folds and his tip bulged her belly, he laid down with her and rested on his side with her to avoid too much pressure on the eggs within.  Cynder curled up tightly against him and nuzzled at his nuts, just barely able to reach them around her middle.  Bathing his scrotum with her tongue, she settled into a somewhat mindless, meditative motion of grooming what she could reach of her mate's testicles while he nibbled her neck and back, raking her scales lightly with his teeth and then bathing her with his tongue.  His wing rubbed her belly slowly, kneading her firmly.  After what felt like ages, he heard the stirrings of a purr in her chest, feeling it vibrating through her into his shaft.  Gradually she pulled her head back and out from under his wing and sighed deeply, leaning back into his embrace.  Spyro held her with his arms, legs, and his unpinned wing, still grooming her neck.   "Thanks..." she whispered, almost too soft for him to hear.  His paw moved down to her belly to hold her while he started to slowly thrust, making her moan under her breath. "Love you, hun."  Ducking his head down, he clamped his mouth over her shoulder and bit down, gently, just enough to give her a little squeeze and trigger her euphoric zones.  She went limp against him with a loud, quivering moan, letting him slowly roll his hips with deep thrusts that popped his tip and ridges in and out of her cervix, just the way she liked it.  He growled against her scales with the pleasure of how tight, wet, and hot she was inside.  His paw moved down further, rubbing her engorged clit with a toe pad and making her squirm and squeal, her hips starting to buck into the motions.  Her tail curled around his and he took that cue to start humping more firmly, lightly smacking his sheath against her pussy and clapping his balls against her mound, the black dragoness huffing in growing delight.  Giving a muffled roar against her, he bucked up deep and she quivered in anticipation, then mewled out at the glorious warm spurts in her belly, her paws groping the bulge of his tip and feeling him pulsing with each gush. "Sp- SpyrooooOOHn" she keened out and arched against him, bucking and quaking, spurting everywhere like someone splashed a bucket of water against her crotch.  With his paw down there he quickly flared his elemental powers and caught her fluids before they hit the nest, gathering their juices into a ball to then send to the drain in the nearby room.  Panting, licking her neck where he'd bit her, he purred and they relaxed as he continued to throb and fill her.  "Mmm...ancestors...I love feeling you ejaculating in me..." "All for you, babe.  Want me to keep fucking you for the day?" "Please do..."  She  shifted onto her back while he stayed on his side, Spyro gathering some pillows so she could recline and watch his hips and balls while he continued to gently thrust into her depths.  Her eyes fell to the bulge in her belly, her swollen womb lightly sloshing and jiggling under her scales while a sizeable lump vanished and reappeared just under her chest.  "I love seeing how deep your penis is inside me..." she whispered, her paws groping him through herself again and feeling him tense up at the additional stimulation.  "Never would've thought the dork I was chained to would end up being the world's most gifted stud..." His paw started to rub her clit again, the purple dragon smiling softly at the cute moan that escaped her.  "Never really thought I'd end up having so much sex with you.  How many nights did we spend together out there trying to avoid looking at each other's parts?" "Mmmph..." she quivered when his toe pressed hard on her bean, making her clench tight around him.  "I remember sneaking peeks at your balls while you slept...I saw Hunter's a few times too when he went to wash up." "Heh...would you be mad if I said there were some times I woke up to see your vulva right in front of me and I just laid there and stared because I didn't want to scare you awake?" "Pffftt..." she giggled.  "Back then I probably would've clawed you.  But..."  She blushed and smiled shyly, purring again when he nuzzled her neck and jaw.  "I'm...kinda glad you weren't turned off from me back then." "Oh far from it..." he churred huskily, nipping her throat and making her shudder with a surge of arousal.  "I mean...even though I knew what sex was from the swamp animals...you were the first female I actually...'saw'.  It made me feel weird, but I also liked you from when we brought you back to the temple.  I just...didn't want to freak you out by admitting it.  But being a kid with you for those few months...sharing time with you...and...seeing you as a female and not just another dragon my age...I wouldn't trade that for anything." "You saw my pussy back then too?" "Honestly, Cynder, it's impossible not to when dragons don't wear clothing and you're doing your flipping and dipping melee stunts.  Or when we would wrestle in the garden.  Back then we were just kids having fun.  I know you copped a few feels of my balls out of curiosity when we wrestled." "I-" she yipped with a furious blush, but then hid her face in her paws, resisting a lewd moan when Spyro laughed and the motions made his cock pulse inside her again.  "Okay yeah I guess I walked straight into that..." "Anything else you wanna admit while we're on a roll?" She snorted and rolled her eyes.  "I...may have, once or twice, thought Ignitus's low-hangers looked awful inviting to nap on..." "Really?" "Well, we were much smaller then." He chuckled and shook his head, giving her a sharp deep thrust and making her squeak on reflex at the jolt of pleasure.  "Too bad you can't shrink down again and nap on mine." She gazed at his orbs with a sense of longing.  "Fuck, I wish..." "Not like that stops you though." "Mmm...could you put your balls on my face after you cum in me?" Ember peeked in hours later to find Cynder heavily rounded and dripping all over with cum, with Spyro hunching over her and grinding his huge orbs along her face.  "Doing fine in here now it seems." "Oh, hey," Spyro replied with a blush, but not stopping his treatment for his mate.  Cynder gave a blind wave of her wing and reached up with her paws to hold his massive balls against her nose, pressing into them with a deep huff.  His shaft hung loosely along her head.   "Can't say I blame her, sometimes a good dicking cures a lot more than we think it can.  Brought ya some treats from the vendors." "Thanks."  He winced as his mate drew back to nibble and caress his sheath, getting his penis firm again.  With a small internal sigh he drew back further and neatly shoved his length into her throat, Cynder purring around him and suckling eagerly while her paws stroked and massaged his jewels. "Here."  The pink dragoness retrieved some bowls of the citrus juice from the Matrons and set it by them. "Thanks again."  He downed his drink and sighed out in relief.  She giggled in reply. "Just let her slut it out if she needs to.  Sometimes...we just need it." "I know."  Rubbing Cynder's head and getting an affirming intensity of her purring, he huffed slowly.  "I just hope our daughters don't get this needy...even if I don't run out of cum, I won't be able to keep up." "With any luck they'll have an equivalent number of brothers to keep them plenty stuffed."  Giving a glance down at Cynder under him, she smirked.  "Well, when you two are less occupied, meet me at my house." After she left, Spyro tensed up and groaned, Cynder swallowing around his malehood and gulping down his cream.  "Mmmm..." she churred softly, getting every drop before slowly pulling off and kissing his tip.  "So tasty..." "Sorry, Cyn, I need a bit of a break or I'm gonna chafe." "Awww..."  Giving his balls a kiss too, she relaxed under him, letting him clean her off with his water ball trick.  "Thanks though..." "Feeling better at least?" "A lot, yeah..." "Good."  Giving her a kiss, he helped her up.  "Let's go see what Ember wants.  I'll get the eggs ready." "Alright...I'll get some snacks finished." She watched over her shoulder as he very gently but firmly picked up the eggs and placed them in the incubator carrier, then breathed a small tongue of fire to charge the warmth stones.  The meat he'd put in the oven was a little dry by now so she got a small jar and filled it with the meat chunks and some fat and oil and spices, and set it to simmer in the remaining heat.  Unwrapping some leaves from the chest nearby, she procured some snack cakes of sweet bread and honey-based icing with some deliciously aromatic spices.  Spyro came up alongside her and laid his wing over her back, the ebon girl leaning lightly against him. "Doing okay?" he whispered. "Yeah... Spyro?  Thanks for being with me...even when I don't deserve it..." "Hey."  He turned her face to his.  "You always deserve it."  Kissing her deeply, he purred to her.  "We're one in the eyes of the ancestors by our choice and our love.  And we're about to make it official in the eyes of the public.  You're mine, and I'm yours." Leaning on him more heavily, she went silent, using her shadow tendrils to cut up the snack cakes into smaller bites.  After eating the sweet treats and getting a drink of cold icy water, they headed topside again and wandered down the lane to Ember and Flame's home.   "Flame, I swear to the ancestors, I'm gonna string you up by your balls!" "Not my balls!" They paused and Cynder gave an awkward smirk.  "For a second I thought they were actually fighting." Spyro knocked on the door and Flame answered, looking like he'd just finished laughing his ass off.  "H-hey guys, come on in," he panted, stepping aside.   "It seems we missed something." "Don't worry about it, hey Ember they're here!" "I'm not deaf or nose blind you know, can smell Spyro's cum all the way here!" The purple dragon blanched and glanced himself over.  "Wait...I thought I washed us off?" Flame smirked.  "Miss Supernose is quite sensitive with her pregnancy." "I would say fuck you, but that's exactly what you want, Mister Sex Guardian!  Go stand guard over some girl's gates already!" "As your newly wedded husband, I would think my job is to guard your gates instead." "Oh shut up."  She came in from her workshop out front.  Her forelegs, neck, and chest were covered in greases, smears, and what looked like fine gold and silver glitters.  "Sorry for the mess, lots to do, but I've got those rings ready!"  Waving her toes, Cynder thought she saw some infinitesimally tiny sparkles in the air, then a pair of tail rings floated in.  One was gold, and set with rubies of such deep red they were almost black, giving off a brilliant bright red gleam where the light caught in their facets.  The settings were elemental sigils, all connected with a stylized swirl like the accents at the temple.  The other band was silver, set with amethysts of stunning inner glitter casting tiny rainbow gleams through the purple, and chiselled with a beautiful scrolling take on her silver scale patterns.   "Oh...Ancestors..." Cynder whispered as she looked them over.  "These are beautiful!!" "Tomorrow Lonimba and some of the other girls want to take you out to finalize your dress choices, and Flame, once you're done impregnating the girls you're to take Spyro and get him outfitted." "The Guardians told me Ignitus has a...set of robes that he would've wanted me to have."  Spyro sighed heavily. "I should...go get those and see if they're suitable." Flame's grin vanished.  "I see...well, if they're not for the wedding, they'll definitely do you well for your royal trip." "Yeah..." "Can you two witness for us at our ceremony?" Cynder asked. "Of course!  Just don't fuck in front of the priest, he was, ah- none too happy with us." "Gee, I wonder why." The two siblings shared a smirk and Flame moved over to nose and lick at his sister's heavily pregnant belly.  "So close...so soon..." Ember rubbed his neck and looked up at the other two.  "I've got those cuffs almost ready so they'll be done by the ceremony.  Also had an idea spree for some horn rings for the occasion and those are almost done setting.  As for the things for your trip, I have a tail clip for Cynder, not a full cuff like she used to have and much more pretty and stylized, and those neckband plates for Spyro are curing." "Thanks."  Spyro folded his wing over Cynder and she purred softly, then leaned her head down to nuzzle at her eggs in the carrier.  "What do we do for these tail rings?" "Here."  Some soft leather bags floated over and she bagged the rings and cinched the drawstrings.  "Tradition is that once these are verified as complete by the candidates, these bags are not to be opened until the priest asks you to exchange gifts.  Flame and I had our bags under our robes.  You can hide the bags and pull the rings out, or you can pull out the bag in sight of the attendance, it doesn't really matter so long as you mirror each other." "So what were each of the steps you underwent?" Cynder asked.  "I assume the priest will explain somewhat but...is all of that a traditional process?" Flame and Ember both nodded and he mimicked Spyro by wrapping his wing over his sister-wife.  "It's all heavily symbolic when you read up on it," he explained.  "As the source of new life, the female is exemplified emerging from her home, if applicable, or from a doorway to symbolize her entry into the world.  Further up is when she meets her mate to be, symbolizing life's path."  He stood up and lightly hugged on her with his wing, Ember rolling her eyes with a grin and obliging him. "They meet, and bow," she showed by example with their wings parallel to the ground, "then hook wings and circle each other, three times.  Once for the mind...twice for the body...thrice for the soul." "It symbolizes the whirling storm of life surrounding us, the trials of mind and body and soul we are faced with, and the togetherness of overcoming it all and remaining one unit." "Then you walk up towards the priest and sit at a distance from him, your parents, elders, and witnesses.  This is usually when someone who objects would step between yourselves and the priest, and challenge the union." Cynder gulped at that. "It's an old form of trial, really, of proving yourselves before the witnesses and the gathered while dealing with potentially outstanding problems.  You won't have to worry about it at a private ceremony like you've chosen.  I haven't ever seen someone challenge yet.  It's very uncommon now." Ember nodded.  "Very rare." "Then the priest will call you forward, and again the body, mind, and soul representatives are asked to affirm your union.  The Guardians will likely stand in for your parents, as they did raise you for a time." "Yeah.  They agreed to the role." "Good.  Then when bidden, you exchange your gifts with the intention of becoming one unit together." "What's the fireball for?" They smirked again.  "The best part.  You fuse your breath together for as long as you feel you can hold it, and then you kiss and bring that core between yourselves and consume that mixture of your elements.  It's super exciting to feel that rush through your body.  And...kinda why I couldn't help but fuck her.  Felt like my heart would burst if I didn't share my love physically with her right there." Ember giggled unashamed.  "Same...I was kinda hoping he would do that.  And, just so you know, erections are totally fine for the process, from any of the gathered...it's just not very acceptable to consummate your marriage immediately like that." "Is it also okay for me to rub his balls when I put the ring on his tail?" Cynder asked with a naughty grin. "Well, technically no, you're not considered the one flesh just yet until the priest says so, so sexual contact during the ceremony isn't kosher.  But after he leaves, it's all free reign from there." "Even though we've been having sex already?" "Yep.  You are expected to remain celibate from dawn until the priest confirms your union.  The ceremony considers you to be separate entities, as you are technically by law, and are to be proven unified by the witnesses, possible contenders, and the priest by the words and deeds of the rite.  Some think it's all hollow and trappy, but it's...actually kind of a nice change of pace, and it feels gratifying to go through a fixed form and process for it." Ember glanced at the egg carrier on her neck.  "There might be some slight difference depending on how you want the eggs to be handled.  It's sometimes frowned on for a girl or her mate to bring her eggs up the road.  The priest might ask you to leave the carrier with me." Cynder glanced at their rears, catching glimpses of the gold bands.  "So...did you feel that bond thing that's supposed to happen with the bands?" They looked at each other with an odd expression.  Flame curled his tail around hers and she leaned on him.  "It felt like...something different was happening?  Like, when we consumed that fireball together, I felt...a weird surge through me, almost like when you absorb a Spirit Gem.  But...not nearly as tangible." "The sex felt amazing though, best in years."   "Of course you'd pick up on that." "Hey, I'm not the one who decided to fuck his sister right in the street." "You didn't stop me." "Of course I didn't, your penis belongs inside me." Spyro and Cynder rolled their eyes again.  "I guess sibling banter leads perfectly into married arguments." "Same shit, different dream," Flame remarked, lifting Ember's hips and mounting her, the pink dragoness squealing in protest and then moaning lewdly as he slid his girth into her tight snatch.  Spyro smirked and copied the gesture, Cynder squeaking in surprise and then edging back with a grin to take him deeper.   "Ooohhh ancestors...fuck you for having such a great dick..." Ember grunted, rocking her hips against her brother. "Yes, you do."  He grinned at his joke, chuckling when her groan made her clench on his shaft.  "Still amazes me you can take that entire thing so easily, Cynder." She blepped playfully and wiggled, rubbing her labia against her mate's sheath.  "Can't get enough of it~" Ember rolled over and took her brother down with her, to his surprise, and started to ride him, bouncing rapidly on his lap while he held her belly.  "Fuck, yes, gimme it all..." A bit of silence fell as they focused on their partners, Spyro slapping his hips against Cynder's butt and thrusting hard and deep into her, Flame bucking off the floor and meeting his sister's eager bouncing.  It didn't take long for the pregnant pink girl to lean back and cry out with a thin jet of fire from her mouth against the ceiling as she climaxed, milking her husband's cock and craving his thick load.  He was decidedly more paced, enduring her orgasm with slow thrusts and rubbing her heavy middle.  Cynder rolled over under Spyro, both of them moaning as she spun on his dick, then smiling at each other as she held his paws while he bounced her belly with his thrusting.  Locking her hinds around his, she arched up and moaned lewdly, then shuddered repeatedly as her body seized up in ecstasy and her juices splashed against his gold plates.   The two males came at about the same time, growling out and slamming up into their girls, to matching twin squeals of glee as they were filled with hot love.  Panting and coming down from their shared highs, the two couples snuggled in afterglow, Spyro grooming Cynder while Ember loved on her brother.  "Damn..." Cynder churred out.  "You two are corrupting us.  Casual sex in your home?  Terrible." "Oh yes, truly, awfully...pleasurable..." Flame said with a doofy grin.   Mindful of her carrier still on her neck, Cynder snuggled Spyro tightly for a bit in relaxation.  "Don't wanna overstay our welcome though, we just came for the tailbands." "Gonna head out?" "Yeah...I need to ask the old ladies about some supplements I guess." "Ah true, get that taken care of before nightfall." Spyro held up his paw, levitating a water orb from all the mess.  "Hey uh...should I just toss this in the street drain?" The two glanced down at themselves to find no mess despite the earlier dripping.  "Oh...that's handy.  Yeah, sure, I don't think the drains here are made for your specific volumes." At the door, Flame followed them outside.  "Hey, Spyro.  You two...still good for the schedule tomorrow or should I tell them you need the day?" "For now, I may need the day with her." "I'm fine now Spyro." "I'll still take the day off to start and see where it goes from there." "Alright.  Take it easy." Back in her nest, Cynder tapped her claws while Spyro got them some of the basted meat chunks.  "Hey Spyro?" "Hm?" "Do we have too much sex?" "Where's this coming from?" "I dunno.  I just...I keep feeling a bit guilty that we're indulging so much.  I get that we're Matriarch and Patriarch but...back before we found out, we'd have sex like, once or twice a day.  Now it's multiple times daily, often back to back.  I love the pleasure but...are we...maybe getting too dependent on it?  Could ..could that be why I had a panic attack?  Because we didn't have sex before you left?" He laid down with her and sighed out.  "Dunno.  I don't know enough about our biology to answer that   The ladies are bring the stuff down any minute now, so we can ask them then." As if on cue, a soft knock at the door echoed into their home.  One of the old ladies entered, levitating some small woven baskets of a sweet but bitter scented herb mix.  "I see you're doing better now?" "For the most part, yeah." "Good."  Taking one of the small baskets, she procured a small round pill from it.  "Take one of these twice a day.  It's a sugary binder, so you can swallow it as is or infuse a hot tea with it, so long as you consume it all, including the dregs." "Thanks...um...is it...is it possible I had a panic attack because we didn't have sex before he left?  Are we...maybe getting too dependent on it?" "Well, this is a good time to figure that out," she replied.  "If you want your marriage to be as traditional as possible, it's customary to avoid sex or at least greatly reduce it in the three days leading up to the ceremony, and no sex at all that morning until after the ceremony.  You're to be as 'pure' as you can manage for that event.  So...I can't answer your question for certain without a potential repeat, but if you do have one I believe these supplements will reduce it to a lighter depressive or angered spike as opposed to a full-on swing like you had.  I would recommend you try to limit your sexual activity together for a short while and examine any effects it may have.  Perhaps it really is the activity, or perhaps it was a one-off due to all the excitement and lead-up to these recent events." Cynder sighed with a small whine.  "...Guess we should try it..." Nuzzling at her, the purple dragon caught her attention.  "You good for me to...go see about those robes?" "Yeah...I think so." He kissed her deeply, the two purring back and forth for a short bit before he got up and left the room, the Matron sitting quiet and fairly motionless until he closed the door behind himself.  "The no-sex thing will be a bit awkward for Spyro since we may need him for the breeding.  I'll let you two talk over how to handle that.  Since masturbation is also part of that but technically more permissible, perhaps some collection from the both of you could be done if you cannot refrain." "So...you think my cum can restore males?  Like...as a lube?" "Given the similarities in mechanics we're seeing, it's quite possible.  If we could combine yours and Spyro's into a lubricant, both impregnating the female and restoring the male sonata least a few eggs are his...this is an angle we're hoping greatly for as it would help ease tensions." "Mmm...but if it doesn't?" "Then you and Spyro may have to commit to the breeding efforts for a good long while...until the first hatches mature and we can see if they can breed or not." A chill ran down her spine.  "And...the biggest worry is that...Spyro might be the last possible breeder?" "Yes...but there is hope if Flame was able to father eggs in you and in Ember.  And...before your trip to Anglapala, there are some tests we want to run.  Crystal scans really, but we need to check on a few developmental suspicions for you with a few more days' development." "Okay?" "Nothing harmful, just want to see if there might be any Matriarch maturation hallmarks to pick up on now that you're getting on in this second pregnancy." The portal flight was relaxing, but over too soon, Spyro gliding out of that watercolor corridor and into the sky over the Temple, his wings catching the wintery ocean air.  Shivering a little, he banked and flew down to the balcony, then breathed fire against the door to unlock it.  With an echoing stone scraping, it slid open and he entered.  "Hello?" he called, but received no answer.   Perhaps the first time to his memory that the Temple was empty, unless the Guardians were in the lower tunnels.  With a small huff of embers, he strode in fully, the door shutting behind him.  Glaring at the central statue with its sigils and eyes slowly pulsing with a soft yellow glow, he grimaced at the sight of Malefor in his prime and walked past to the Pool room.  Gazing into the blue-green fluid, he then shook his head.  It was hard to see anything after losing Ignitus.  "So...where would his robes be?" he asked. In response, one of the doors nearby lit up with a gentle glow.  Curious, he headed over and breathed fire on it, accessing the lower halls.  The place was still damaged here and there from the attacks during the wars and that dreadful build-up to the Eternal Night, but progress has been made on the restoration at least.  He was also much larger and stronger than he'd been back then, the terrain negotiation much easier around the broken floors and collapsed wall slates.  Something led him further in, like a gut feeling but more certain.  "Ignitus...?" he muttered.  Onwards it urged him, until he found a door that had been locked his whole time here.  The light of the central sigil lock began to glow.   A chilling dread crept over him, trepidation of the unknown...he felt like he might be invading the old fire dragon's privacy, but that urge pulled him, a sharp memory of Ignitus giving a directional nod for him to continue.  Breathing fire on the door again, he half expected the light to go out and deny him access, but a loud stone shuddering noise made him flinch and step back a pace.  The shattered wall nearby sparkled with earth power and then healed up, the door shuddering and grinding and then finally free of the internal collapse and allowed to open fully.  More sigil lights along the walls activated, causing small lichens and mushrooms to also open up and cast their gentle luminance.  Stepping in carefully, the purple dragon stared. A grand yet fairly simple bed, covered in dust and a bit of growing moss from disuse.  Off to the side, somehow avoiding the dust, were stands of armor and robes, and a large chest with some fabrics sticking out.  "Wow..." he muttered, spying documents, scrolls, a broken shield and lance, several plaques and medallions commemorating war actions...and as he brushed aside some of the fabric to unlatch the chest, he caught sight of a small framed painting under some papers.  Curiosity got the better of him and he gingerly pulled it out. It was a much younger Ignitus, sitting with a wide grin and his chest a bit puffed out, with a beautiful fire dragoness next to him.  The colors were faded and the paint a bit chipped, but she was looking up at him with a gaze he knew well from Cynder. Love. "Was this...his girlfriend?  His mate?"  That gut feeling turned to sadness and he put the painting down carefully, then returned to the chest.  Like the room, it was drawing his attention quite strongly, so he lifted it open. Great folded parcels of clothing were bound in wide ribbons and pinned with gem-studded clasps.  "Okay...if you're guiding me to all this, let me know which ones you want me to have..." he whispered.  This one felt strange to hold, but this other one felt okay, as did that one, but not that other one, a long parcel at the bottom calling to him as well.  "Ignitus...what should we do about the rest of this?  Is it really right to just...leave all this down here for the fungus and moss to take over?"  He didn't get any feeling on that, but as he turned to leave, the stand of armor beckoned to him and he paused.  A faceplate, chest armor, foreleg pauldrons and vambraces and claw reavers, a belly plate and girdle, a spinal cover, hind leg plates and spurs, tail segments, and a strange clip of separate armor currently affixed to the pauldrons.   Footsteps in the hall went almost unnoticed until they were at the doorway.  "Ah...I had wondered." "Oh, Cyril..." The ice dragon strode in slowly, his eyes full of sorrow.  "A shame he never really let anyone into his private circle...yet, understandable all the same...he led you here, didn't he?" With a gulp, Spyro nodded, choking back a small sob that was rising up out of nowhere.   "At some point we shall...have to process his belongings...but I feel now is not the time.  Not yet."  He gazed at the armor and sighed heavily.  "Did he prompt you for this as well?  It's rather still large for you yet." "I think he did.  It's...pulling at me like these clothes did, like the hall did for finding this room." "Then it is yours." Eyes wide at that, he hesitantly moved over and slowly unhooked the armor pieces from the stand.  They were trussed together with leather and cloth straps and loops, one connected array of golden defensive metal inlaid with red lacquer within the sigil-styled details.  "There's so much damage..." Nodding, the ice dragon joined him, running his icy blue paw over one of the shoulder pieces.  "Yes...before the final great war that saw us pushed back to the Temple to defend the eggs...we were all fighting.  There were many more of us back then...and Ignitus was perhaps the fiercest.  He...had lost the most of us all."  The painting flashed before Spyro's eyes and he shuddered.  "You should have seen him, Spyro...you have not seen true dragon combat.  He was a force of nature, back in his prime.  The Ignitus you knew was much wiser and more mellowed after his battlefield years of rage.  I do not know why he pursued the Guardianship, but...befitting of his element he was the most hotheaded of all, back then.  When he fought, it was like watching the greatest wildfires of the world come alive and decimate entire hordes of the dark forces.  He was thought to be the greatest of the fire aspects...until he burned out." "Burned out?" There was a great pain in Cyril's look, his eyes staring past the armor he was looking at.  "We don't know what happened.  He never talked about his personal life with us...but one day all that rage, all that battlelust...it was simply gone.  He was a shell."  Again, that painting entered his mind and Spyro felt a gut-wrenching despair.  "Eventually he returned to the fight, but he was much more...methodical, much more focused...but always so empty.  Instead of a raging wildfire, he was a focused jet of precision.  Concentrated heat.  I know the look in his eyes...but I could never bring myself to ask." "....He lost someone...didn't he?" "That would...fit very well, yes.  The wars raged for decades, we only had a few years at a time for tenuous peace whole the enemy regrouped and we planned our moves and recovered...but even though he seemed to come around again, he focused more on his elemental training.  Perhaps during those times he was more of a true Guardian than any of us were...monastic reflection on the elements and the let's of the world.  But it never lasted.  There was eventually, always, some new dire battle to fight.  And our numbers thinned as we aged, as we lost students to battle or dishonorable abandonment...as we grew frantic and desperate, and overstepped and miscalculated...and always the enemy had far greater numbers.  To be honest, Spyro...the Ape armies you fought were a mere shadow of their former glory.  Lucky for you, or of a higher plan perhaps, since you were too young to fully grasp your elements, your dragon heritage and our combat techniques..." "I had wondered about that.  Why were they so thin after the war...after the Temple Raid?" "We do not know.  After the raid, we went out and fought them in vengeance, but their numbers were far less.  They should have been poised to completely overcome us after that night...but they didn't.  We wiped out entire legions of Apes and their foul assistance, and continued to do so to avenge the young they so senselessly slaughtered...Ignitus nearly became the old wildfire he once was after he sent your egg down the Silver River.  After he was knocked out by the raiders, when he woke he flew into such a fierce rage we were afraid he'd been corrupted.  He was the first into the fray.  He sought the captured egg." "...Cynder..." "Yes.  And he nearly got her back too.  The raider encampments never stood a chance.  We found him after he had razed five.  He had a Commander pinned and was practically roasting him alive.  We got the heading for the egg...but by some devilry, some perhaps evil magic, they were granted swiftness while our best efforts could not catch up.  As if the will of Malefor had set itself against our very matter.  When Cynder's egg vanished into their company...he was tempted to go rescue your egg, but the Ape armies began attacking in earnest, as if to keep us occupied while they worked on Cynder.  Years took their toll again.  We were running on fumes after the vengeance sweeps.  We left none alive, yet more would come.  And it wore us out, as the enemy intended.  There was one final great push...perhaps just before you emerged from the swamp.  And...one by one...she beat us down without mercy and plucked us from the field to have our elemental power channeled into those dark crystals.  Ignitus, whether out of cowardice, wisdom, exhaustion, or fear...he hid in the Swamp to avoid her searches.  I have a feeling he finally gave up after decades of failure...we all were at that point."  He turned to Spyro, and for once gave a sad but genuine smile.  "And then...you arrived.  And everything finally began to turn around...for good this time.  You gave us all hope again, young chap...especially the one who had lost the most of it." Tears suddenly streamed down Spyro's face and he shuddered as he fought another sob.  "I wish I'd known..." "So do we, young dragon..."  With a heavy sigh, and a rare display of camaraderie, his paw rubbed Spyro's shoulder.  "But...I am very glad to see you here.  He would have wanted you to have these, whether he lived or not.  I suppose when we find his replacement they will inherit the remaining legacy here...if that be his will.  Some of those robes you have are from his youth, when he joined our ranks around your size.  He had not yet hit his final growth spurt, so he was perhaps double your age when he had these robes.  They should fit.  One or two of them are from when he was full grown.  He was actually a bit more lanky than you are, so...perhaps some adjustment, but we shall see when you reach your maximum." With a heavy sigh of his own, Spyro stored the robes in his inventory magic, then picked up the armor.  "So...he wore this when he was closer to my age?" "Yes.  It should fit you are you are now.  After he reached his full height he rarely wore his armor, like the rest of us, relying more on his knowledge of the elements." "Why didn't any of you wear Guardian robes and such while I was here?" "There was...honestly, not any need to do so.  We were fugitives really, after you freed us.  The Guardianship really only came back into being after you slew Malefor and tried to restore the planet.  After that...well.  We were hardly the Guardians we once were...as we've discussed with you recently."  He frowned at the robe still on the stand nearby and sighed again.  "It didn't...feel right to don those robes again after everything that happened...everything that changed.  Which is why we are now attempting to reformat ourselves." Spyro held the faceplate, slowly turning it side to side.  "You all agreed to be our representatives at the wedding...will it...be too much for you to see us like that?  In...in his robes?" Cyril gazed sadly at the armor, processing his response.  "I...believe it will be good for us, to be honest.  Whole you and Cynder were living nearby, it was...painful to see your union, yes." "Sorry..." "I would say apologies aren't necessary, but...both of our sides were in the wrong on various matters, and I do apologize for ours." "That's rare to hear from you." "Would not be befitting of my proud lineage to not apologize for the wrongdoings.  But...after you and Cynder left for the Grotto and became largely unavailable for our requests with your new roles...we came to realize how much of a presence you had here, and how we should have valued your bond with each other.  It was...uncomfortably quiet." "Especially after Sparx left I assume." "Oh very much so."  They both chuckled a little at that.  "You all have moved on with your lives...it is time we do the same, and as the ones who raised you after the chaos...it seems fitting to have that closure and...perhaps, as a final send-off to your life together." "Then...what are you doing?  Volteer is dating." "I...need to find myself again too.  I am unsure of what I want.  I may go see if my relatives are still around.  I have not heard from my siblings or cousins in a good long while." Spyro couldn't help a smirk.  "Some more ice lineage purity inbound?" Rather than the expected offense, Cyril actually blushed.  "It is not out of the cards...or...it would not be if not for the curse." "Don't worry, apparently all you have to do is have sex with Cynder and get soaked in her fluids a few times and you'll have enough to knock up a girl." His blush deepened at that and he coughed.  "Young chap, I could not fraternize so carnally with a student..." "Not so much a student as an interim Shadow Guardian now though, right?" "Yes, well...perhaps I should go attend to my duties and let you get to your preparations." Back at the Silver Grotto, Spyro found Cynder chatting with the portal guard brothers.  "He can be here as soon as tomorrow, my lady, but if the nesting instincts will be a problem- oh, Sir Spyro, welcome back." "Hey."  He landed and shook himself off, Cynder coming over to nuzzle at him.  "What's up?" She giggled.  "Their dad is a carpenter.  I was wanting to commission some shelves and a few other things for our home here." "And pay him with your ass?" Her jaw dropped and the two brothers couldn't help a surprised laugh.  "W-well...no, but I wouldn't be opposed to the experience if he's not a totally ass."  Glancing over her shoulder, she added "No offense.  Just...kinda wary about others I don't know yet." "Understood, but I think you'd like him.  Not necessarily in that way, but he's fun.  He can be here to take measurements and give consultation tomorrow if you want." "Yeah.  I think it'd be better to get it done now before our wedding, because after that we have royal visitation to plan...I'm still kinda scared of that idea..." "We'll get through it," Spyro assured her with a kiss to the cheek.  "I...got the robes.  Gonna go see Flame." "Heh...well, I would ask to see them myself but seeing as the bride's clothes shouldnt be seen by the groom I suppose it's only fair you surprise me too." He kissed her again and she blushed and giggled.  "Oh...I should ask the Matrons what we should do about the abstinence versus my breeding duty." "Mmm...they said we can collect from each other, but if you are up for it, there are some more virgin girls looking to have their first time with you.  Since you had fun with Liiana and Lysa, we figured you could get to them today and then we go for the abstinence tomorrow."   "Alright...yeah.  I think that sounds good.  I'll go see about that and then go with Flame to get this sorted." "And, if you two want..." she added, wiggling her butt at them with a wink.  They couldn't help the two sudden spears appearing. Spyro found Flame taking a break in the dining chamber, with Lysa under him purring in pleasure as she cocksleeved him.  "Hey dude.  What'd you do to her?  She's so eager for cock now." "I just introduced her to the joy of mutual pleasure I guess." "Mmmm..." she churred in agreement.   "So wassup?  Here to tackle the virgins?" "Yeah.  Cynder told me what's up." "Alright, cool.  They'll be waiting in the breeding lobby in an hour or so.  I talked to them already and they're going through the Matrons' pre-testing stuff.  I think you'd be good going with both of them together." Lysa shivered when he reached under her and then called her paw over her muzzle to stifle a cry as she climaxes when he diddled her clit, the younger girl bucking and clenching on him.  Flame grunted, but didn't cum, letting her wiggle out from under him on shaky legs.  "O-oh wow...that was...intense..." "You okay?" "Think I need to...sit a bit...my legs feel like jelly!" "What'd you do to her?" Spyro mirrored his question. "Edging~"  He smirked proudly.  "Got her nice and worked up for a while, then kept my cock in her like a plug.  I don't know if it'd work for you an' Cynder with how insanely long your dick is, but with most girls if you can get them right on the verge of cumming, and then just hold your penis deep in them, it keeps them on that edge for a good while." "Felt like I was gonna explode but every second..." she whimpered with a goofy grin, then took a swig of juice. Taking a sweet roll to nibble on, Spyro wondered if he could pull that off with Cynder.  They'd done some edging before, but not that kind of prolonged constant edge.  By the time night fell, Spyro and Cynder were both quite exhausted,  Nuzzling at her eggs, the black dragoness purred softly, dripping with cum from both holes.  Spyro brought her a bowl of juice and some of her new candies, the ebon girl kissing him in thanks and smiling as he curled up and spooned her. "How were they?" she asked. "We had fun.  They were both scared but eager for it, so we played a few silly games to get them used to my penis." "I take it you went multiple rounds then.  You're not hard right now." "Yeah...I'm worn out.  And you're not pouncing me for dick." "I wanna, but I'm a bit too sore now.  Guess it's a good reason to abstain tomorrow, heal up a bit." "True."  His paw rubbed over her engorged middle, her wing holding him there, a purr rumbling in her chest as he nibbled on her neck.  "I love you." She sighed out and leaned back against him, craning her neck around to nibble on him in return.  "I hate how girly it sounds but I get such crazy butterflies in my belly whenever you say that...and I...kinda like it..." His paw moved up to cup her cheek and pull her into a kiss, the two happy parents purring back and forth to each other.  "Well, I can't wait to finally proclaim it officially to the world that I love you, that my heart belongs to you, that you're all I need." "Spyro you sap!" she giggled, then purred even louder when he kissed her again.   "Flame said the robes are good, so...I'm ready for the big day." "Good.  Ember has mine." "So close..." "Yeah..."   ------------------------------- "Are you okay today?" Cynder frowned and huffed loudly, shaking her wings.  "This abstinence thing is so dumb..." "You don't have to do it, you know." "But if it's a tradition for our kind then I wanna learn it myself." Spyro could only shrug his wings.  "Best not to question her resolve on it.  Am I needed today?" "Not yet, but if you two could ease your arousal needs with some mutual collection, that would be much appreciated.  We'll leave some extra containers by the door." Getting some breakfast ready, Cynder grumbled while Spyro went about carving up some meat with his claws.  "Damn...was really wanting you in me when I woke up," she whined. "I know, Cyn.  I know.  But we'll get through this.  It's only two days.  We just need to find something else to do." "Can we just masturbate all day?" "Weren't you asking about sex addiction?" "Uuuuugh..."  Slapping her tail on the floor in frustration, she growled and then sighed heavily.  "Yeah..." "Maybe we need to train ourselves away from so much sex and just indulge a little bit instead of multiple times daily.  I know, Patriarch and Matriarch, but...I'm pretty sure we won't have this kind of sexual freedom at Anglapala.  And if it was just me leaving...you'd have to find something to do to pass the time like you used to." "I know...I know.  It's just..."  Pausing her dough kneading, she whined under her breath again.  "I don't feel complete unless I'm with you.  And all this craziness with the breeding program, all this openness of sex and pleasure...it's like I've stepped into something I don't want to leave." With a small sigh, he got up and nuzzled her.  "Let's go back to the old house.  Until we're married." "Why?" "Maybe being there will help you settle into your old routines of amusing yourself without my dick to rely on.  Or anyone else's.  Plus, we're getting married at the Temple anyway.  We can get the house all readied up and then have some of our friends along the path to the Temple.  I know it doesn't strictly have to be our house but..." She fell quiet for a short bit, then finished up the bread and put it in the oven.  "Yeah...I guess.  But later.  I wanna see what the carpenter says about the shelves and such." "Alright.  The ladies have left those bottles, wanna...maybe show them they should leave more?" he asked with a coy grin. She couldn't help a sly grin at that.  "Yeah." "Actually, that does remind me... found a neat little elemental trick for sex." "Oh?" A few hours later, Ember strolled down the thin stairwell, then paused when she heard a loud scream that quickly faded into familiar shaky moans.  Easing the door open, she found Cynder panting heavily on the floor with a stupid grin on her muzzle, tongue flopping with her breath while Spyro capped off an eighth bottle of her fluids.  He smirked and clicked his claws together, Cynder yelping and spurting a weak little trail of her cum, her legs quivering and shaking.  "Wow...what'd you do to her?" the pink dragoness asked.   "Shooo ghhhooood..." the black dragoness churred. "Used a bit of electricity on her."  He clicked his claws in Ember's direction and she yelped, her legs automatically humping against the air at the intense surge in her loins out of nowhere.  "Like that." "Wha- how...ooohh my gosh that felt so good but so weird!" Helping his mate back up onto her paws, Spyro grinned.  "Heard about it loosely from Volteer, he said electricity could be used to control someone's muscles and nerves." "Well, unfortunately, I didn't come down for sex, I was gonna let you know the carpenter is here and is asking for you." "I see."  While his wife-to-be stood there panting and recovering, he gathered up the bottles they'd filled, Ember licking her lips at the large quantity of his semen gleaming in the glass.  "Gonna take these to the ladies...but you should go get washed up, Cyn, before you meet him.  I'll air out the chamber." "Yeah, c'mon, this place is getting a little heady."  Ember led the ebon girl out, Cynder still looking drunk and blissed out.  Finding a washing room on the way, Cynder rinsed herself off and flashed her fire across her body to dry off, giving a fluid little ripple along herself to stretch out.  "So you're gonna masturbate the days away until you get married?" At that, she frowned a little.  "I...don't know.  I feel like...I'm getting too dependent on sex and that...might be what triggered my panic attack the other morning..." "Mmm....maybe.  It's definitely possible.  It's important to find other ways to cope...especially if something happens health-wise to either or both of you that would keep you from enjoying carnal pleasures." "I hope that never happens..." "It...might also be that restlessness I mentioned earlier about mateship stuff.  Sometimes some couples aren't satisfied until they share that breath bond.  Maybe you're just subconsciously freaking out because you haven't gone that extra step with Spyro." "Can...can that even happen?" "It's really rare but...here's hoping your marriage will help that." Up in the grand halls, they found her two guards conversing with an older Earth Dragon dressed in a leather back-apron lined with tool pockets.  "Hello, sir," Cynder greeted him with a dip of her head.  He smiled back and bowed much lower. "The Lady Cynder, I presume?  I'm here on request from my sons, you have a job inquiry?  I am Magnar." "Yes, I was wondering if I might be able to commission you for some shelves and such for our home here." "Lead the way then, please." She was still a little jelly-legged after such intense orgasms under Spyro's elemental ministrations, but she led him down the secret hall to their chamber, the older dragon already studying the hallway.  "So...I did want to ask about the shelving possibilities, but I'm also told kids will climb and gnaw?  Is that a consideration we can take for it as well?" He chuckled and nodded.  "Of course, ma'am, my two boys were terribly rambunctious in their early years.  I got into this business because of them, I had to redo our furniture so many times...but this is a very nice place here, I hope to make something that can grace it with justice." She blushed and smiled shyly.  "Thanks..."  Leading him over to the wall just off to the side of their cooking area, she indicated the wall with her wing.  "Mainly this spot is what I wanted to fill in first." "Mhmmmm..." he growled in thought, looking over the room and the area in question.  "I see.  You're looking for...let me guess...a storage area for your spice mixes and ingredients...and some displays of crystals and other knicknacks, primarily?" "Wow...yes, exactly!" "Well, we have lots of options to choose from."  Holding his paw out, he produced a rather thick book and leafed it open, quickly pawing it to a page of cabinets and shelving units.  "Open shelves are a kid magnet, but so is anything with enclosures to hide in.  Pick your poison on that topic really.  Shelves are a ladder to them, and anything barred off is an entry challenge.  I can make locking units if you need.  Perhaps this model here with closed cabinets underneath and shelving up top, with some reinforced crystal door panes?  If it's latched at the top, they can't open it to use as a ladder, and the crystal pane prevents their access." "Hmmm..." "And, for additional consideration, these are the paints, dyes, lacquers, and other color assortments to pick from for the wood, metal, and crystal.  Treated wood to prevent burns and incineration, much the same material as has been used here in your existing setup." "Interesting...I like this crystalline look back here for the cabinet design, and I know Spyro would too, he's a sucker for crystals." "Hehe," he chuckled warmly, "that's my favorite design to work on too.  The hexagonal pockets for smaller showcases and storage, the larger ones for lighting implements perhaps... and, just to put it on the proverbial table, I can also make your kids a small play area they can goof around on, with replaceable wooden rails for their inescapable chewing urges.  The furniture items...well, depending on how you want to approach it, I can make those with replaceable parts so they can indulge without too much damage worry on your part, or we can nix that altogether if you don't want them chewing on shelves and storage units.  There are mouth-safe metals that give a nasty flavor, the shock value alone can tame them from such temptations right off the bat." "Oh that's interesting...I do like what I'm hearing about this.  Depending on the work here I might also want to commission some pieces for our old home as well.  This is our...well, second home due to the needs for the breeding program, but I would like to spiff up the old place too." "Not a problem, I welcome the projects and the challenge." Spyro came back down to the room to find them finishing up on some sketches and plans for the materials and colors.  "Hey," she chirped, motioning him over.  "Looks good right?" Spyro squinted as he looked over the sketches of a cabinet and shelving system of hexagonal ports leaning slightly to one side, the silhouette like a crystal outcrop.  "Oh...that's really neat, but how deep is it, can we store scrolls there?" "Scrolls and books in the lower portions yes, the upper portions won't be as deep.  Helps prevent toppling issues." "And these are the color selections?" he asked, finding some little strips of colors paper. "Yep!"  Cynder moved over to the bare spot on the wall and extended her wing over her head.  "It'll be about this tall too." "Wow.  Okay, yeah, I'm sold on it." "Yay!"  She bounced back over.  "I can't wait to see it!" Magnar grinned and packed up his stuff.  "It'll take me a few weeks, possibly a month if supply chains don't smooth out.  I'll keep you posted on progress.  I also have some play area ideas for the kids, if you'd like I can also share those ideas as I put it together.  If you'd like to purchase the set, let me know, if not, it'll be available for someone else.  Sanded and sealed smooth, designated chewing areas with replaceable parts...they'll love it." "Sure!  I'd like to see it.  Is it something you just poke at and dabble with and see how it turns out?" "Indeed!  It's more fun that way, for myself and for the kids.  I'll go get started on this right away, and we can haggle on the price as it nears completion after I know more definitively what I have available." After he left, Spyro nuzzled her and she shivered and nipped him with a grin.  "Feels strange to be settling in here but...it's also kinda nice to make it our own too." "Yeah."  Nibbling on her neck, he made her shiver again.  "Wanna go see about some dinner up top with the leftovers?  They're asking to watch you cook again." "Mmmm...yeah, sure, I could go for some cooking right about now.  I've got a few ideas of my own~"   --------------------------------- With a nervous sigh, Cynder rearranged the silvery flowing dress draping over her butt and across her shoulders, cuffed at her elbows with matching silver bands adorned with pearls.  Glancing in the mirror, she turned her head this way and that, eyeing the sparkling pale jewelry chains strung between her horns and cheek spikes, a translucent silver veil draping along her tucked neck spines and clasped at her throat with a small pendant with a dark red ruby.  Her face and forehead patterns had been edged with white trim to stand out even more.  A slim curling tiara sat atop her head, glimmering with beautiful rubies. "Wow..." she muttered.  Her breath quivered and she sighed slowly to try to gather herself.  "I really...really hope he likes this..." A small knock on the front door made her flinch.  With a few more deep breaths, she moved over, pausing.  "Why am I so freaked out now?  We've already pledged to each other years ago and have been fucking our brains out almost daily since...so why am I so nervous?" Nudging the door open, she blinked against the cool morning air and sunlight.  Thraklor and Berylsythe were the first along the path, bowing to her as she passed and then following her at a distance as she moved along towards the Temple.  Crossing Spyro's paw-crafted bridge, she came across Lonimba, the electric girl giving her a happy grin, following as well.  Then there were the twins Lapis and Lazuli, sporting their own incredibly pretty dresses of purples and blues studded with tiny gemstones set amidst sweeping and swirling embroidery.  Cynder blushed and smiled shyly at the gathering entourage behind her. Halfway along the path, Spyro approached her and she full-on stopped in awe, her blush turning her silver face scales pink.  He looked like an actual Guardian in his robes and the thick rune-carved collar settled on his shoulders, the deep maroon of the cape across his back complementing his crests and wings.  He had several bands across his horns, each set with a lovely amethyst, and around his neck he wore that wide-segmented necklace Ember had made for him, and at his forelegs he had those blank-set vambraces of bronze, ready for the gems of their children.  The beard-like crests under his chin had small clips of tiny rubies and amethysts as well.  He winked at her and they met in the path with their wings spread, bowing low to the ground, before he stepped in, took her wing with his, and began the circle.  She had to fight so hard not to smile back at him, trying to keep herself professional for the process as they went around three times and then continued up the path wing in wing.  Lysa and a few of the other attendants were along the path, as were a few of the others she didn't recognize but assumed were part of Spyro's earlier rescue missions.   Finally, up at the Temple Balcony, sat the priest in the middle, flanked by Ember and Flame, with the three Guardians by Flame and the three Matron sisters by Ember.  Ember gave Cynder a little wave and then gestured to the egg holder strapped to her chest, shooting her a little wink as if to say everything was fine.   Before they entered the balcony proper, Spyro and Cynder sat down, their pulses hammering while everyone else walked past to take their places around the balcony.  Looking around, the priest stayed silent until they finished.  Cynder half-expected someone to storm in or walk up to them in challenge, but to her relief, no one attempted the challenge of their union. "May the betrothed approach." Taking her wing, he felt her trembling and gave her a little squeeze with his thumb.  Leading her to the priest, they sat down again and bowed low to him.  "May the ancestors bless us with their approval." "And may you be blessed."  Turning to the Guardians, he dipped his head to them and they nodded in return.  "Do you, o guardians of the betrothed, caretakers in the stead of family, approve of the union they seek?" Cyril cleared his throat and Terrador coughed slightly, Volteer looking like he was fighting tears of his own.  Out of envy, jealousy, remorse, or joy, they couldn't tell.   "May their days be blessed, their union fruitful, and their tasks be of great service to the descendants," they replied with a bit of a stagger. Turning to the Matrons, he continued.  "Do you, o elders, grantors of knowledge, approve of the union they seek?" With their unreal unity, they bowed, almost sharing the same shakes as they replied, "May their days be blessed, their minds guided by our words of wisdom, and their hearts guided by the will of the Ancestors." "And do you, o witnesses chosen by the betrothed, approve of the union they seek?" Flame and Ember bowed so deep their chins touched the floor, wings spread on either side of the old priest.  "May their days be blessed, their loins fruitful, and their choices and actions of great service to the guidance and formation of the descendants."  Spyro suddenly felt incredibly embarrassed that he'd probably missed a good chunk of the recitation for their ceremony earlier. "Betrothed, seekers of union under the sight and guidance of the Ancestors, do you vow to be faithful to one another, through ill health and disagreement, to raise and honor your children, 'til the Ancestors call your mortal bond to rejoin the world?"  He then cleared his throat.  "As best you may under the given circumstances?" Turning to each other, Cynder blinked back a tear, unable to help the massive grin that was spilling past her control and splitting her face.  "I do!" Spyro smiled just as wide, his heart pounding against his ribs.  "I do!" "Betrothed.  In the sight of the Ancestors, you have established the words of the vow, and are to be held to this vow.  But, words are words, and must be supplemented by action.  Please, exchange your gifts." Cynder sat back and held her paws out, her leather pouch appearing.  SPyro copied her and she pulled hers open first, displaying the beautiful gold band of her blood-rubies sparkling madly in the winter sunlight.  "Spyro, I love you...so much I feel my heart might burst. I bequeath to you my gift of my elemental essence.  Let us become one fire of soul." Spyro pulled out the silver band with his glittery amethyst crystals, the faint iridescence of their inner glow sparkling in her eyes.  "Cynder... Words cannot convey how I love you...so much.  I bequeath to you my gift of my heart's breath.  Let us become one flesh and blood." They circled each other halfway to face each other's tails, and parted the robes and placed their gifted bands on each other.  Completing the circle, they came together holding paws, tails wagging eagerly, Cynder blinking and giggling shyly when a few tears tickled her eyelids and then flowed down her neck. "By the will of the Ancestors, may they look after you." "May they look after us all," everyone responded.  Ember and Lonimba gave matching squeals of excitement. "You are now pronounced husband and wife, mates for life.  You may kiss, and share your bond." With matching eagerness and joy, the two grabbed each other into a deep kiss and passionate hug, their wings meeting like a tent while everyone clapped.  Fire, wind, electricity, fear, ice, poison, earth, shadow, light, the growing power contained in that kiss made everyone's scales shiver as the two world saviors poured their hearts into their shared elemental breath, sealed between their lips as they made out.  That power grew and intensified, the bands on their tails most definitely glowing in response, gleaming brightly under their robes enough that everyone could clearly see it happening.  Finally, they could bear it no more and they consumed that gathered power, breathing the mixture back in together and pulling apart from the kiss with a loud gasp as the intense collected Aether coursed through them, feeling like it was madly rippling up and down their entire bodies.   Within only a few moments, it was over, the two panting in shock and feeling warm all over as if they'd just had sex but without the mess or exhaustion.  Cynder was a dripping puddle however and Spyro's shaft was standing out for all to see, trembling with a long thread of pre.  Coming back together, they kissed again, but much more tame this time, holding each others' cheeks, his cock sandwiched between them and feeling the eggs within her swollen belly. "Wow..." he muttered, nuzzling at her nose.   "I love you," she stated, possibly the most confidently he'd ever heard the phrase from her.  Leaning into his neck, she purred as he hugged her, the crowd clapping again.   "And with this, the ceremony is complete.  May you go forth with the blessings of the Ancestors."  The priest bowed and walked back into the Temple, the Guardians and Matrons following him while the others gathered around the newlywed couple, showering them with congratulations and well-wishes.  Cynder couldn't stop the happy tears flowing down her face while Spyro rubbed her belly, her own paw idly groping his shaft throbbing against her. "Let's go spend the day and night somewhere nice," he said with a playful wink, Cynder giggling and nodding. "We'll see you two back at the Silver Grotto Temple," Lonimba responded with a grin and a knowing look.   "Give her a good filling," Flame added, giving Spyro a light punch on the shoulder.  With that the two walked off a bit to get some space, then spread their wings and leapt into the air, Cynder taking her time with it due to her engorged belly.  With a flash of their inventory magic, their fancy clothes vanished into their holding, and they were off across the Swamp, the multicolored mushrooms offering a very pretty scene for them while they lazily glided, the black dragoness following her husband and eyeing those heavy balls behind his throbbing maleness practically plastering itself against his belly with his need for her.   "Where are you taking me?" she asked. "You'll like it." Quite a ways across the Swamp, they finally reached the far edge where the mushrooms gave way to ancient, curling trees full of silver and pink leaves.  Folding his wings he spun through a massive curlicue branch covered in soft lichens, Cynder copying him and giggling at the adrenaline rush.  In the heart of this new grove, she gasped with wonder at the sight of a tall, thin, round hill capped with a single beautiful tree of golden bark and glowing blue leaves, with red flowers sprouting all across it.  Enormous butterflies nearly as wide-spanned as the dragons themselves serenely fluttered past or lay still with their wings glittering with bioluminescence.  The ground at the base of the hill was a field of multicolored flowers, giving off a lovely floral aroma everywhere.  Alighting on the hilltop, Cynder found the grass was incredibly soft and springy, nestling down into it with a purr.  Her mate came up behidn her and purred as he groomed her neck, laying down on her back and covering her with his body and wings.  She giggled at the sensation of that incredible length pulsing along her spine. "This is...wow...how long have you known of this place?" she asked. "Since I was a kid.  This was an old gathering place for the dragonflies for a while.  It used to be covered in berry bushed but they haven't grown here for a while...but it's let this nice soft grass take over." "It's so beautiful..."  A soft, lilting birdsong from somewhere in the distance caught their ears as the wind carried it, rustling the leaves and flowers overhead and causing a small shower of floating, dancing petals around them.  "Can we just...enjoy this for a little while?" "We can do whatever you want to," he churred in response, giving her neck a slow lick, making her shiver and moan softly.   "It's funny...I don't know what happened with that...surge, of our powers...but even though I'm horny as all hell after it...I haven't...really felt this calm in ages.  It's nice to be back out here." "And we're here to enjoy it.  I brought some food too when you're hungry." Nuzzling back against him, she held his paws when he snaked them around to hug her chest.  "I love you..." "I love you too.  We're life partners now." A wide smile crept over her muzzle and she closed her eyes.  "Yeah..."